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Hydroxyzine is associated with a small risk of QT interval prolongation and Torsade de Pointes. Such events are most likely to occur in patients who already have risk factors for QT prolongation. Maximum adult daily dose is 100mg (50mg in the elderly if use cannot be avoided, however avoid if possible). For full details of this warning with risk factors, contraindications and cautions seeDrug Safety Update, April 2015.

Prescribing notes

All antihistamines are of potential value in the treatment of nasal allergies, particularly seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever) and they may be of some value in vasomotor rhinitis. They reduce rhinorrhoea and sneezing but are usually less effective for nasal congestion.

Side effects: drowsiness is a significant side effect with most of the older antihistamines although paradoxical stimulation may occur rarely. Other side effects that are more common with the older antihistamines include headache, psychomotor impairment and antimuscarinic effects such as urinary retention, dry mouth, blurred vision and gastro-intestinal disturbances.

On this website you will now see four icons for these resources rather than two. Please use BNF Legacy or BNF for Children Legacy as these will take you to the original format of the online publications which do not have any errors or omissions.